Support The Moscow Times!
Contribute today

Kurils Trip 'Not Political'

HANOI, Vietnam — Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denied on Saturday that President Dmitry Medvedev’s possible trip to the disputed Kuril Islands ahead of a visit to Japan was politically charged and said it was just about convenience.

“I can see no link between what the president does within his country and his foreign trip,” Lavrov said on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific summit in Hanoi when asked whether the visit could disrupt Russia-Japan relations.

Medvedev might visit the Kurils ahead of a trip to Japan for the Group of 20 summit in November. 

(Reuters)


… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more

circumstances unclear

U.S. Citizen Killed in Moscow-Held Donetsk – Russian Media

Russell Bentley, 64, was known to have fought with Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine and had been given Russian nationality.
1 Min read
'nuances'

Russian Officials Face Restrictions on Foreign Trips, Kremlin Confirms

The confirmation comes after a Reuters report said Russia's stricter travel rules were linked to fears of foreign powers gaining access to state secrets...
2 Min read
tone deaf

Russian Official Resigns Over Son’s Viral Bali Vacation Video

“Some ask me, ‘Ilya, will you ever come back to Perm?’ ... Why the hell would I want to be in Perm?” regional official Alexei Dyomkin's son said...
1 Min read
reported retaliation

Russia: We Told Israel ‘Iran Does Not Want Escalation’

The Kremlin also said Friday it was looking into the reports that Israel carried out a strike on Iran and urged all sides to exercise "restraint."
2 Min read